NAIROBI, Kenya – In a move towards inclusivity in government procurement, the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has awarded tenders worth Sh4.15 billion to businesses owned by youth, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the last financial year.
This achievement has far exceeded the company’s target of Sh1.2 billion under the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) initiative, marking a more than threefold increase from the Sh472 million allocated in the previous financial year.
AGPO, designed to empower youth, women, and PWDs by reserving 30% of government procurement opportunities for these groups, has become a cornerstone of KPLC’s strategy to foster inclusivity.
John Ngeno, KPLC’s General Manager for Supply Chain and Logistics, credited this success to the company’s proactive approach.
“During the last financial year, we sustained education forums for the special interest groups on how to participate in our procurement process,” Ngeno said. “The uptake has been steady over the years owing to these engagements, and we hope to sustain 100% absorption of our annual AGPO budget as more Kenyans become aware of these opportunities.”
The tenders awarded under the AGPO category focus on non-technical areas such as the supply of locally available materials, common user items, and cleaning services.
Youth-owned businesses emerged as the largest beneficiaries, receiving Sh3.8 billion, followed by women-owned enterprises with Sh324 million and PWD-owned businesses with Sh1.3 million.
Ngeno emphasized KPLC’s commitment to enhancing participation among women and PWDs.
“Through AGPO, we aim to foster inclusivity in our procurement processes. Going forward, our focus will be more on persons with disabilities and women,” he stated.
The company plans to strengthen its efforts through tailored engagements, financial support linkages, and pre-bid conferences, ensuring broader awareness and participation.
